World Briefing | Africa: Nigeria: Respite For Woman Who Faces Stoning

A Nigerian woman who faces death by stoning for adultery will be free to look after her year-old child in her village until January 2004, whatever the result of her appeal, an Islamic court ruled. The court, in Funtua in the northern state of Katsina, is expected to decide on July 8 on the appeal by Amina Lawal, 30. The case has focused scrutiny on the decisions of 12 northern Nigerian states to impose Shariah, or Islamic law, over the last two years.